NI S4 System? Nah, DIY 4 Channel TP Controller

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NI S4 System? Nah, DIY 4 Channel TP Controller
Posted on: 14.09.2010 by Aurea Kager
Taking advantage of the huge bonanza that exist on Midi Fighters and DIY Contorllers, im posting this to discuss the chance of building a portable 4 deck DIY Midi controller that could allow any dj to do must of the things actual dj controllers can do, and even more.

So why dont we all get here and put some desings into this thread maybe some of us get the chance to actually build it, we need to help Ean and his crew to get bigger and to get much more know around the world.

I have a couple of ideas and i will be posting them here really soon, i hope you appreciate the idea and get into this duty....

Lets say there would not be a roof for imagination, im really sure they are some preety good engineers, designers and computer geeks who love this as much as Ean and his crew does...

So lets talk about it....
Kyra Riesselman
19.09.2010
Originally Posted by Nicky H
Who actually need 4 decks?

I listen to loads of stuff on here and soundcloud and I never heard anyone using 4 decks.

At best you might want 3 - or ideal would be 2 decks and 2 sample banks ... hmmm there's an idea ...
i used 4 decks in this mix right here, http://soundcloud.com/bobolson/918-mix
and have started to use 4 decks more often
Edmond Batta
16.09.2010
Originally Posted by oscarjmg
Is it possible to build a controller with one Livid Brain and be divided on two units and conect them by RJ45 Ethernet???
Check into CPC connectors.

You can get them in different pin counts.
Arcelia Siebeneck
16.09.2010
Originally Posted by oscarjmg
Is it possible to build a controller with one Livid Brain and be divided on two units and conect them by RJ45 Ethernet???
you could use RJ45 cable to route the outputs between two devices but you'd be limited to the 8 wires inside the cable (and it wouldn't be ethernet of course).

probably a vga cable would be better...
Roselle Mcnaul
15.09.2010
Originally Posted by djproben
I believe they were just trying to demonstrate the fader, and figured that the video from January with the prototype demonstrated the other features. But you're right they ought to have a video of the real product in use for mixing, like the original prototype video.
For sure, and to that they most certainly succeeded, the faders appear to be quite robust and responsive from what I can tell. But yeah for those who arent the scratch type (which in my honest opinion, this controller reaches out to that demographic), the video really didn't do much in the ways of telling the viewer what makes it unique, what its capable of, etc.

Oh well, guess we gotta wait and see for ourselves.
Quincy Rostran
15.09.2010
Originally Posted by sm00sh
i know its quite difficult to design, but there was an idea floating around (maybe a blog post) about a magnetically linking modular controller. would be neat to rearrange hardware to meet the needs of new software updates.
......wishfull believeing i know
The Stanton SCS.3D system does this, largely because it's touch based.
Danae Dumler
15.09.2010
Originally Posted by mmauve
Wow, all those buttons, knobs, and controls and they best demo they could come up with is this?
I believe they were just trying to demonstrate the fader, and figured that the video from January with the prototype demonstrated the other features. But you're right they ought to have a video of the real product in use for mixing, like the original prototype video.
Aurea Kager
15.09.2010
Originally Posted by sm00sh
i know its quite difficult to design, but there was an idea floating around (maybe a blog post) about a magnetically linking modular controller. would be neat to rearrange hardware to meet the needs of new software updates.
......wishfull believeing i know
You read my mind mate... Last evening i was believeing on it....

14.09.2010
Originally Posted by oscarjmg
Lets take the new Faderfox as an example, obviously this is just to much...

wow, that's one ugly mother.
Kyra Riesselman
19.09.2010
Originally Posted by Nicky H
Who actually need 4 decks?

I listen to loads of stuff on here and soundcloud and I never heard anyone using 4 decks.

At best you might want 3 - or ideal would be 2 decks and 2 sample banks ... hmmm there's an idea ...
i used 4 decks in this mix right here, http://soundcloud.com/bobolson/918-mix
and have started to use 4 decks more often
Edmond Batta
16.09.2010
Originally Posted by oscarjmg
Is it possible to build a controller with one Livid Brain and be divided on two units and conect them by RJ45 Ethernet???
Check into CPC connectors.

You can get them in different pin counts.
Arcelia Siebeneck
16.09.2010
Originally Posted by oscarjmg
Is it possible to build a controller with one Livid Brain and be divided on two units and conect them by RJ45 Ethernet???
you could use RJ45 cable to route the outputs between two devices but you'd be limited to the 8 wires inside the cable (and it wouldn't be ethernet of course).

probably a vga cable would be better...
Aurea Kager
16.09.2010		Is it possible to build a controller with one Livid Brain and be divided on two units and conect them by RJ45 Ethernet???
Roselle Mcnaul
15.09.2010
Originally Posted by djproben
I believe they were just trying to demonstrate the fader, and figured that the video from January with the prototype demonstrated the other features. But you're right they ought to have a video of the real product in use for mixing, like the original prototype video.
For sure, and to that they most certainly succeeded, the faders appear to be quite robust and responsive from what I can tell. But yeah for those who arent the scratch type (which in my honest opinion, this controller reaches out to that demographic), the video really didn't do much in the ways of telling the viewer what makes it unique, what its capable of, etc.

Oh well, guess we gotta wait and see for ourselves.
Quincy Rostran
15.09.2010
Originally Posted by sm00sh
i know its quite difficult to design, but there was an idea floating around (maybe a blog post) about a magnetically linking modular controller. would be neat to rearrange hardware to meet the needs of new software updates.
......wishfull believeing i know
The Stanton SCS.3D system does this, largely because it's touch based.
Gilma Marchini
15.09.2010		I find that 4 decks are useful, but I never need full control. My setup is full control on 2 decks and just minimal control on the 3rd and 4th. I use my midi-fighter and VCISE Arcade for decks A & B then run the 3rd and 4th with my oxygen25... I would vote for a heavy 2 deck control with some side and less in depth control on the 3rd and 4th.
Danae Dumler
15.09.2010
Originally Posted by mmauve
Wow, all those buttons, knobs, and controls and they best demo they could come up with is this?
I believe they were just trying to demonstrate the fader, and figured that the video from January with the prototype demonstrated the other features. But you're right they ought to have a video of the real product in use for mixing, like the original prototype video.
Keli Vandenbergh
15.09.2010		...


Arduino based and full open source.



...
Aurea Kager
15.09.2010
Originally Posted by sm00sh
i know its quite difficult to design, but there was an idea floating around (maybe a blog post) about a magnetically linking modular controller. would be neat to rearrange hardware to meet the needs of new software updates.
......wishfull believeing i know
You read my mind mate... Last evening i was believeing on it....
Vernon Vanderberg
15.09.2010		i know its quite difficult to design, but there was an idea floating around (maybe a blog post) about a magnetically linking modular controller. would be neat to rearrange hardware to meet the needs of new software updates.
......wishfull believeing i know
Roselle Mcnaul
14.09.2010		Wow, all those buttons, knobs, and controls and they best demo they could come up with is this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_O8q...layer_embedded

I'm sorry, I love scratching and have respect for the skillset, but this is the most boring goddamn thing I've ever seen, and the biggest let down ever when it comes to proper product demonstration. That was not the right DJ for the job in my opinion.

It's plain boring to see a controller like this being utilized like a 2 channel Rane or Ecler mixer.
Williemae Trau
14.09.2010		This is for my 2 deck controller that I'm building, but it might offer some inspiration. The arcade buttons are from djranking s, the small white pushbuttons, faders and pots are from futurlec.com and the 4x4 button grids are from sparkfun.com. The whole thing is built off of a livid brain. I mix externally with a two channel mixer and an audio 2 DJ
Aurea Kager
14.09.2010		Actually frogstar what you say its true... But i`ve allways thought that if you take out the spin wheels of the vci100 and put interesting controls it could be a really nice piece of gear.

Ok, so the tR-1 exists but you can not add things like exclusive crossfaders and faders for effects to do things like Ean does with the custom midifighters.

I love the midifighter but i dont know about the 4x4 configuration for what i believe of a controller, maybe a 2 by 4 with other things could be better.

Im preparing a graphical layout so we can continue discussing this...
Jacquiline Dua
14.09.2010		Is it me... or are alot of these controllers mostly becoming theoretically bad ass.. but practicalwise just cluttered and non streamlined for actual relaxed manipulation. Its almost like we want to be able to do things live that we would avoid trying to set up in a production scenario.. I know in the past Ive sat there and automated all these parameters only to put it on hold.. then come back to it and not want alot that I originally had.. and by the time Ive removed or figured out what was good or bad or just not working.. I would have ear fatigue and just start over.. Im just seeing all these possiblities of having it one press away.. but know that the smoothness will not come until ive invested alot of time. All this actually makes me want a vci 100 arcade edition instead of something extreme..

14.09.2010
Originally Posted by oscarjmg
Lets take the new Faderfox as an example, obviously this is just to much...

wow, that's one ugly mother.
Breana Singerman
14.09.2010		I use 4 decks ALL the time, Decks A & B for mixing actual tracks, and then Decks C & D for loops and tools.

And on that note, while the 4midiLoop is pricey, I'm still getting it the moment it comes out. Has everything I could ever need and want. If I can find the exact same thing for cheaper then of course I would consider it, but as it stands this controller does have everything, period.
Jacquiline Dua
14.09.2010		4 decks is my preferred way to mix...sometime even 6... I am more of a buffer mixer though so 4-6 is not really anything I need to plan for.

mixing 1-2 tracking into fx(delays,reverbs, some modulation) then another 2-3 songs beatmatched as the main beat. Having the same amount of controls for each deck makes it easier to swap out with the other. The only time I need a 5th or 6th is for samples or effecting the fx on another track and being able to cut that in.
I use to mix 4 turntables no problem( that is with single locked groove records ) same procedure as above.
And even if you dont literally have 4 going at once... having the breakdown, outro or intro of several tracks ready to go is never a bad thing.... Just depends on your mixing style. I never plan anything in advance... for me personally its boring to sit there and just redo the same things.. might as well put in a mix cd.

I would actually be interested in this controller idea if it has alot of buttons.. However the example picture above... is just too packed in one mixer. I like the idea of a controller made in two parts. one for the bottom and the other for the top. or something wider with more space.
But in all honesty... I hate being honest sometimes... There are enough controllers out there which do the job depending on what the person needs it for.
The modded midi fighters almost have the perfect sweetspot for a minimal setup. That pic above is definitely for the maximum in one controller.
I have alot of respect for all these DIY controllers... but seems like they are just going to be nice because the user put the effort to make them.
Aurea Kager
14.09.2010
Originally Posted by Archies'bald
A lot would depend on what type of 'brain' we could use for the controller. Are Livid and Midibox the only obvious choices?
The Livid One is really expensive, but you have just make a great point...

Ill feed you with more in a bit...
Shay Wyche
14.09.2010		A lot would depend on what type of 'brain' we could use for the controller. Are Livid and Midibox the only obvious choices?
Aurea Kager
14.09.2010		That might be the whole idea of using for decks....

Lets take for instance if you do long mixes and have non vocal tracks that can be divided into 7 loops (1 Cue point for the grid, and 8 for loops), and then u can play loops from any song and do something diferent.

that is just a case...

It is really, really hard to mix 4 decks, thats why Nicky your idea of 2 tracks and 2 decks for sampling makes logic sense.
Mac Fly
14.09.2010		I never have the mindset to mix 4 decks at once. Unless my set is preplanned(which rarely happens) I just mostly use 2 and sometimes 3.
Janyce Henningson
14.09.2010		Who actually need 4 decks?

I listen to loads of stuff on here and soundcloud and I never heard anyone using 4 decks.

At best you might want 3 - or ideal would be 2 decks and 2 sample banks ... hmmm there's an idea ...
Aurea Kager
15.09.2010
Originally Posted by djfrogstar
1.)Built in powered usb hub

so many things that eventually get added into a set up.. and ultimately you have to use longer usb cables to get them where you need them... so having something local from the main place you mix can mabey streamline some of the setups.

2.) Find a size that is universal for when it comes to having a roadcase to use it in
Lets take the new Faderfox as an example, obviously this is just to much...



But it might be a good idea... That was one of the things i
Jacquiline Dua
14.09.2010		1.)Built in powered usb hub

so many things that eventually get added into a set up.. and ultimately you have to use longer usb cables to get them where you need them... so having something local from the main place you mix can mabey streamline some of the setups.

2.) Find a size that is universal for when it comes to having a roadcase to use it in

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